Radio



May 10, 1960 R. K. ANDRE 2,936,368

RADIO Filed March 2. 1959 V" I O f/a Il en INVENTOR. lil-E- ROBERT K.ANDR ATToR/wnfs United States Patent O,

RADIO Robert K. Andr, Miami, F1a.

Application March 2, 1959, Serial No. 796,472

6 Claims. (CI. 250-14) My invention relates to radiant energy devicesand, more particularly, to transmitting and/or receiving radios.

The `radiant energy device or radio of my invention comprises arotatable means which supports or carries a radio means. A flexibleelectrical lead is connected at one end tothe radio means and the otherend thereof is free for use as an electrical conduit for electricalenergy.

In the embodiment of my invention shown, the rotatable means is in theform of a spool and the lead is coiled around the spool. When in use,the lead is pulled outwardly to the desired length, causing the spooland the radio mounted thereon to rotate. When not in use, the lead iscoiled back on the spool. Suitable resilient means, such as a coiledspring, enables automatic recoiling.

To enable selective tuning of the radio, means is mounted on the housingfor varying the relative position of a tuning slug and the coil of theradio.

Further objects and features of my invention will appear from thedetailed description following hereinafter and, more particularly, froman explanation of my invention with reference to the drawing in which:

Figure l is a top view of my invention with a portion cut-away to showthe general arrangement of parts, certain parts being shown in phantom;

Figure 2 is a side cross-sectional view taken on line 2-2 of Figure 1with the tuning slug in its outermost position;

Figure 3 is a side View of the cam elements which enable tuning of theradio;

Figure 4 is a view of the central upper portion of Figure 2 with thetuning slug moved inwardly to its innermost position;

Figure 5 is a schematic view showing the electrical elements of theradio mounted on a spool;

Figure 6 is a circuit drawing of the radio of Figure 5;

Figure 7 is a schematic view showing the electrical elements of atransistor-type radio mounted on a spool; and

Figure 8 is a circuit drawing of the radio of Figure 7.

Referring now to Figures 1-4, it will be seen that my inventioncomprises a rotatable means or spool 24 rotatably mounted on meansgenerally indicated by numeral 16 which provides a mounting and housingfor the spool 24. The housing has a top 17, bottom 18 and a centrallypositioned spindle 19 on which the operating elements are mounted. Thespindle 19 has a bottom portion 20 with a slot 21 therein for holdingengagement with the inner bent end 22 of coil spring 23. The outer endportion of the spring is rigidly connected to spool 24 by pin 25.

An annular bearing ledge 26 is formed at the top of the bottom portion20 for `bearing engagement with the inner peripheral hub portion 27 ofspool 24. Radial iianges 2S and 29 form an annular outer peripheralgroove 30 for housing a coiled speaker or earphone lead 31and, ifdesired, a coiled antenna or ground lead 32. Each lead passes throughopening 33 in the bottom wall ice 34 of the groove 30 and iselectrically connected to its proper radio element as will be described.The crystal or detector 35 of the radio is attached to the inner face ofgroove wall 34 by any suitable means, such as glue.

An axial bearing wall 36 of a dielectric material extends from the hubportion 27 and the coil 37' of the radio is mounted thereon in a rigidmanner.

A tuning slug 38, preferably of powdered iron, is mounted forreciprocating movement into proximity with and away from the coil `37.In the embodiment shown, the slug 38 is a cylinder having an annulargroove l5 in one end which receives and houses the coil 37 and wall 36as the slug moves toward hub portion 27 of spool 24. Coil spring 39provides a spring means for biasing the slug away from the coil 37; oneend of the spring 'being seated on the bottom portion 20 of the spindle19, the other on an internal ledge 4t) of the slug 38.

Controlled tuning actuation of the slug 38 is accomplished by means forcausing relative movement of the slug and coil. In the embodiment shown(Figure 3) a pair of cams 41 and 42 are mounted on the spindle 19 andwithin the slug 38, their outer axial surfaces providing a bearing forthe slug. The outer post 43 of spindle 19 extending from the bottomportion 20 thereof is other than round in cross section and preferablysquare as shown so that the actuatable cam 41 which has a matinginternal axial hole can reciprocate on the spindle 19 but cannot rotatethereon. Actuatable cam 41 engages internal ledge of slug 38 to causeinward movement thereof against the bias of spring 39. Actuator cam 42has an internal hole 44 sufficiently large to enable rotation on thesquare post 43, the outer edge of cam 42 being rigidly aliixed to a dialdisc 45 as by welding, the dial disc 45 being rotatably mounted on areduced cross section axle end 46 of spindle 19. A nut 47 threaded onthe axle end 46 retains the dial disc 45 in place for tuning rotation.

The cams 41 and 42 have mating spiral cam surfaces 48 and 49,respectively, on their outer surfaces which coact to cause movement.Figure 2 shows the cams in closely united condition with the slug 38 atits outermost position; Figure 4 shows the cams in extended conditionwith the slug 38 at its innermost position.

The top 17 of the housing 16 has a circular opening 50 and a fingerdepression 51 for enabling adjustment of the dial disc 45. Suitablestation identification can be added to the face of the dial disc andcover.

An earphone 52. (shown in phantom Figure l) is attached to the outer endof lead 31; an antenna or ground clamp 53 (shown in phantom Figure l) isattached to the outer end of lead 32. The earphone and clamp are housedin wedged condition in an open end of the housing as shown in Figure 1.The leads 31 and 32 pass through an opening 54 in the inner housing wall55; a V-shaped notch 56 provides a catch for the leads when withdrawn toprevent rewinding by coil spring 23.

Figure 5 shows in schematic view the mounting and arrangement of theelements of the radio on spool 24; Figure 6 shows a circuit diagram ofthe arrangement. In these iigures, the detector or crystal is 35, thecoil is 37, the antenna or ground is 32 and the speaker or earphone(crystal or magnetic) is 31. If both antenna and ground are desired, aground 57, shown in dotted lines in Figure 5, may be added.

Figure 7 shows in schematic view the mounting of the elements of atransistor radio on spool 24; Figure 8 shows a circuit diagram of thearrangement.

A battery 60 is held in a clip 61 which is glued to the internal wall ofthe spool. A resistor 62 is glued to the spool land electricallyconnected to the `Abattery 60, the coil 37, and a transistor 63. Theother parts are Y Patented May 1G, 1960 similar to those previouslydiscussed and carry similar numerals.

Many variations in the electrical radio system may be made within thescope of my invention. The circuit and schematic disclosures made hereinare suggestive of other systems which can be used.

While the invention has been described in terms of certain embodimentsand examples, these are to be considered as illustrative rather thanlimiting and it is desired to cover all modications and furtherembodiments that fall within the spirit and scope of the appendedclaims.

I claim:

1. A radio comprising a rotatable means, means for rotatably mountingsaid rotatable means, radio means mounted on said rotatable means, aflexible electrical lead `connected at one end to said radio, said leadbeing removably wound on said rotatable means, the other end of saidlead being free to enable unwinding of said lead to provide anextendible electrical conduit for electrical energy.

2. A radio comprising a rotatable spool means, housing means forrotatably mounting said spool means, radio means mounted on said spoolmeans, a flexible electrical lead connected at one end to said radio,said lead being removably wound on said spool means, the other end ofsaid lead being free to enable unwinding of said lead to provide anextendible electrical conduit for electricalV energy. u

3. A radio in accordance with claim 2 and wherein said radio meansincludes a coil and a detector, and

wherein a second exible electrical lead is paired with theaforementioned lead. Y

4. A radio comprising a rotatable spool means, housing means forrotatably mounting said spool means, said spool means having an annulargroove in its outer periphery, radio means mounted on said spool means,a llexible electrical lead `connected at one end to said radio andcoiled in said annular groove, said housing means having a lead opening,the other end of said lead extending out through said lead opening toprovide an extendible electrical conduit for electrical energy, saidradio means including a detector, a coil, and a tuning slug, meansmounted on said housing for relatively moving said coil and tuning slugtoward and away from each other.

5. A radio as dened in claim 4 and including a coil 4spring meansinterconnecting said housing means with said spool means to provide forautomatic rewinding of a withdrawn lead.

6. A radio as dened in claim 5 and including a second flexibleelectrical lead paired with the aforementioned lead.

No references cited.

